July Highlights

This has been a busy month! StL weather has been remarkable; the first non-miserable summer we have had here. We were able to be outside almost every day and spent a lot of time hanging out with friends.

For Independence Day, we watched fireworks from our house and did some of our own.  This is the first year we didn't make the parade.  They moved everything to Forest Park and all parking was offsite; I didn't think the kids would be able to handle the long walks.  I also didn't think I would be able to handle the long lines waiting for a bus to commute into the park!

As a late Father's Day present, I built a fire pit for Tyler.  Our un-level yard proved to be a nuisance again!  But sitting around the fire eating s'mores with the kids made it worth it. Tyler and the girls also set up the tent and camped out for the night.  Z. and I took the less adventurous road and slept in the comfort of our own beds!

On S's 7th birthday, she wanted to go to a workshop and build a bug house.  She is so easy to please!

The day after her birthday she wanted to wear this dress to church.  Formally her Aunt Holly's dress, circa 1990.  Now we just need to teach her how to clog!

For her birthday party, she wanted to big soccer game in the common area behind our house.  It was so hot that day!  It was also very warm in our house and I attributed it to the 20+ people in it.  However, after everyone went home that night I realized that four of the five vents on our first floor were closed.  (Sorry everybody!)

Instead of little pizzas from Pizza Hut, we do a reading program through Six Flags where the kids earn free tickets.  Just Z, S, and I went and we had a blast.  The wave pool was a favorite, along with the log flume, shazaam, and the Scooby Doo ride.  The lines were so short that we were able to ride all of our favorites at least twice.

My attempt to get a group shot at a park.  This really is the best one I could get!

Hanging out with friends at a going-away party.

S. with her best friend.  Even with mouths full of pizza, they are so cute.

Hanging out with my senior year college roommates.  It was so nice to catch up with them.

I was able to spend some time with my good friends Kristina and Jenny.  Kristina and I sat at a picnic table and talked for six hours.  What did the kids do that whole time?  They found plenty to keep busy!

In the midst of a major toy clean up, S. tried to see how tall she could build a tower without it falling over.

Good news from this month: N doesn't need glasses!  (At least, not yet.)  I was so incredibly glad.   And bad news from this month: S broke her left arm on July 31. Here she is after we received the news from the doctor.  =(